CARBON CONFERENCE: GLOBAL PROBLEM / LOCAL SOLUTIONS Sunday July 22, 2018 1:30 – 5:00 pm Fredericksburg Branch Library Caroline St, Fredericksburg
MISSION STATEMENT Carbon (CO2) in the atmosphere is driving a rise in ocean temperature, climate change, climate chaos, and a host of other problems. The Carbon Conference will explain some of the risks and solutions relating to this problem.
PROGRAM Main Theater – Scientific, policy, and action opportunity presentations
Climate Change is Real – Pamela Grothe, Assistant Professor Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Mary Washington
Local Impacts of Carbon Extraction – Francis Edwards, fracking opponent and former candidate for Delegate for the 99th District
Carbon Fee and Dividend – Shelley Pineo-Jensen, Co-coordinator We Are For America, Ph.D. University of Oregon
Local Actions – Eric Bonds, Coordinator Fossil Free Fredericksburg; Associate Professor Sociology and Anthropology University of Mary Washington
Room 1 – Activities for Children
Downtown Greens will present a planting activity that kids can take home.
Room 2 – Activities for Adults
Sierra Club will present a fracking model with an explanation and discussion
Fredericksburg Democratic Committee's Women's Caucus will offer the opportunity to play a game "Persist" while participating in a discussion of women's empowerment as the antidote to masculine hegemony (winner takes all, competition for exploitation of resources rather than sharing resources and taking care of Mother Earth.)
Maker Lab – Food bites and Coffee
Food Coop will offer samples of healthy food and information on co-op actions to enhance environmental sustainability.
Katora coffee will provide organic sustainable direct-trade coffee.
SPONSOR We Are For America CO-SPONSORS Downtown Greens Environmental Subgroup of Greater Fredericksburg Indivisible Huddle Food Co-op Fossil Free Fredericksburg Katora Coffee League of Women Voters Fredericksburg Area Rappahannock Group Sierra Club
BACKGROUND - Presenters Eric Bonds Erick Bonds is the coordinator of Fossil Free Fredericksburg and Associate Professor Sociology and Anthropology University of Mary Washington. He recently published an essay in the journal Peace Review, entitled “Challenging Climate Change’s New Security Threat Status.” Bonds argues that while the impacts of unmitigated climate change will be profoundly disruptive, viewing this crisis through a national security lens will not necessarily help. In fact, it may limit our collective ability to address the problem.
Francis Edwards Francis Edwards is a fracking opponent and former candidate for Delegate for the 99th District. He is a political activist who is passionate about health care, human rights, job creation, the environment, and education.
Pamela Grothe Pamela Grothe is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Mary Washington. She took a Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her current research involves a study of the central Pacific climate and ENSO variability over the past 6000 years.
Shelley Pineo-Jensen Shelley Pineo-Jensen currently serves as the Co-coordinator We Are For America. She is a social justice activist with a wide-ranging resume: she taught elementary school for ten years, took a Ph.D. in Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leaderships from University of Oregon and served as the leader of a Jobs with Justice Chapter before bringing her social justice activism to Fredericksburg, Virginia. She publishes Fredericksburg Action Opportunities weekly. LINK
BACKGROUND - Sponsors/Co-sponsors Downtown Greens Downtown Greens is a nonprofit organization with a 2.8 acre organically and sustainably maintained urban park-like space at the southern entrance to downtown Fredericksburg. The gardens are open to the public from sunrise to sunset, 365 days per year and are host to numerous environmental education programs for children including the Youth Farm Program and eco-clubs like the Urban Beekeeping Club. http://www.downtowngreens.org/
Environmental Subgroup of Greater Fredericksburg Huddle The Environmental Subgroup works to ensure that the current regulations that benefit the environment remain and to work with other groups to improve the health of our earth.
Food Co-op The Fredericksburg Food Co-op will be a full-service member-owned grocery store. The group’s focus will be on locally grown and locally sourced products. They will offer a great selection of organic and natural foods and household products. Their vision is to be a place to shop as well as a gathering place for people and ideas. They aim to implement the most environmentally sustainable practices in all aspects of our operation and to join others in working toward positive environmental goals for our community. They will collaborate with other businesses and entities in our community and will put a special focus on sharing best practices on nutrition, wellness, and the benefits of moving toward a more plant-based diet. https://fredericksburgfoodcoop.com/
Fossil Free Fredericksburg Fossil Free Fredericksburg is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to respond to climate change and to protect our future by encouraging the City of Fredericksburg to commit to 100% renewable energy. Similar campaigns are happening all over the country. Get involved to make change happen! Coalition members include the Rappahannock Group of the Sierra Club and We Are for America. https://www.facebook.com/FossilFreeFredericksburg/
Katora Coffee Katora Coffee, located in downtown Fredericksburg, serves organic sustainable direct-trade “Kuleana Coffee Roasters” coffee, “Royal Tea New York” tea, and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dining. They are located at 615 Caroline Street.
League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. http://www.lwvfra.org/
Rappahannock Group Sierra Club The Rappahannock Group Sierra Club is a local and active group that promotes Sierra Club's mission of exploring, enjoying and protecting our environmental resources. They focus on local issues that impact our communities and promote the enjoyment and protection of our region's unique environmental landscape. The group is a co-sponsor of the annual Fredericksburg Earth Day, sponsors film screenings, environmental forums and workshops, and provides educational displays and tabling at local events such as farmers markets, trail openings, school programs, and festivals. https://www.sierraclub.org/virginia/rappahannock
We Are For America We Are For America (WAFA) is a non-partisan group committed to furthering a progressive agenda that puts people first. WAFA advocates for social justice, economic justice, and environmental justice. http://weareforamerica.weebly.com/ https://www.facebook.com/WeAreForAmerica/ http://weareforamerica.weebly.com/carbon-conference.html